14 May 2018

I BELIEVE THE LORD WANTS TO TALK TO US

By John Ollis

I am reminded at this time as I ponder on the fact that next Sunday, the Western church will celebrate  PENTECOST SUNDAY of the first verse of an old hymn
Thou Christ of burning cleansing flame
send the fire, send the fire, send the fire
Thy blood bought gift today we claim, send the fire, send the fire, send the fire
Look down and see this waiting host, send us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another PENTECOST, send the fire, send the fire, send fire.
Many of my readers know I love Church History, and am so happy that I was born on this side of the Reformation, to see the Lord RESTORE all the major truths that had been lost to the Church through the dark ages, I also notice, that in almost every generation  there has come a fresh emphasis, (I believe by the Holy Spirit) as I guess a REMINDER TO THE CHURCH,  to not to stray away from these truths, or to even  lose again  these ESSENTIAL TRUTHS.
As we celebrate PENTECOST SUNDAY, let us give some thought to the above.
It is now so POPULAR  to be a Charismatic/Pentecostal and often with little emphasis on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, or on the Sanctifying FIRE of the Spirit that purges out so much of the world and sinful desires in us. We live in a day where standards have been so lowered, (perhaps in reaction to the legalisms of the past)  that swearing, and drinking, and immorality is sadly becoming common and accepted lifestyle amongst Evangelicals & Pentecostals.
I wonder whether the HOLY SPIRIT WANTS TO TALK TO US at this time, so we “clean up our act”. I am reminded that we read the words to Jeremiah and Jonah for example;
Jeremiah 1:13 NKJV And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?”
Jonah 3:1 NKJV Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying
And without adding to Scripture,, He can  come a third time and a fourth time etc.
I am not saying I am a Prophet, but sincerely feel we need to sit down, and HAVE AN EAR TO WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SAYING TO THE CHURCH
John the Baptist had prophesied about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and FIRE, we need to let the “Refining Fire of the Holy Spirit work in us like never before.
From the Day of Pentecost there sprung AGRESSIVE EVENGELISM , that resulted in thousands repenting and being born again of the Spirit of God,   do you think we need to return to aggressive Evangelism?????????
Acts 2:42-47 NKJV tells us And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
There was a hunger for Discipleship and Truth
They wanted to fellowship and share their lives together
They loved to have Holy Communion together regularly, as well as eating together,
An awesome fear of God fell upon the early Church
The early Church was a PRAYING CHURCH
There was a GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT
The early Church was a praising and worshipping church
The non believer could see God was in their midst
Growth was natural normal and exciting.
I think the Lord wants to talk to us, let us make the time and effort to sit down and COUNT THE COST, and get back to the Holy Spirit pattern we see in the Book of Acts,
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV tells us Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
When we recognise we have a need, we can come BOLDLY, CONFIDENTLY FEARLESSLY and the Lord promises to meet all our needs  ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY AMEN.